Lighting Up the Brain: The Science of Optogenetics

by Marc Zimmer

Overview

What if neuroscientists could look inside the human brain and watch individual brain cells send signals to one another? What if they could then control these brain cells to direct thoughts and actions?

This may sound like science fiction, but it's actually a scientific revolution called optogenetics. Neuroscientists would like to use this new technology on human brains to uncover secrets about how the brain processes information and drives human behavior. Doctors hope to use optogenetics to restore sight and to treat Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, and other debilitating or deadly health problems. Discover how the innovative work of leaders in the field is poised to radically transform science, medicine, and human health.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781541521964
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/01/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	80
File size:	8 MB
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

Editorial Reviews

"In concise text, this book explains optogenetics, which use light to control cells in living tissue, particularly the neurons in the brain. It also explores the groundbreaking innovations and tools developed to do this and how they work. Neuroscientists genetically modify lab animals so specific neurons within them will produce light-sensitive proteins. When flashes of light are directed onto these neurons, it triggers them to send signals to other neurons, helping scientists map the brain's neural circuitry and explain how the brain directs behavior and processes information. Inherent risks are acknowledged, and the controversy over animal testing is mentioned, but the hope is that this will ultimately lead to treatment of certain disorders and diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, anxiety, depression, narcolepsy, and perhaps even visual impairment. This attractively designed book is full of color photos and includes a table of contents, source notes, a glossary, a selected bibliography, further information, and an index. It will be useful for students doing reports on new research techniques in the field of neuroscience."—Booklist

From the Publisher